Second-seeded Ivo Karlovic of Croatia and Samuel Groth of Australia advanced to the semifinals of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships on Thursday.

The 153rd-ranked Groth defeated defending champion Nicolas Mahut of France 6-3, 6-4, and Karlovic edged Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (3), 7-5. The pair will meet on Saturday after inductions for the 2014 class into the International Hall of Fame, which is highlighted this year by Lindsay Davenport in the recent player category.

The fourth-seeded Mahut made his ninth appearance on Newport's grass courts, the most of any player in the field. He was denied his 50th career victory on grass.

The 26-year old Groth earned his first career ATP Tour semifinal berth.

Mahut, who collected the most grass-court victories on the tour last year with 12, entered the week ranked 59th. He had won seven straight matches at Newport.